UK licence for PH- aircraft?

[flyme273]

I'm based in The Netherlands and (in the past) have been flying PH- aircraft with my UK/ EASA licence.

After Brexit, do I now need to hold a separate EASA licence? If so any preferred member state, e.g. Irish?

Advice appreciated.

flyme

[Jhieminga]

Why not a Dutch licence if you're based here? You will need some sort of EASA licence to be able to fly a PH- registered aircraft. I think you'll need to look into either validation or conversion of your UK licence. As far as I know, you'll need to do the Air Law and Human Performance written examination, a language assessment and a skill test for a PPL. You'll have to ask yourself whether you'll be flying on your UK licence in the future. If not, it might be better to go for a conversion to an EASA licence so that you'll only have to keep this current in the future.

[Fl1ingfrog]

You cannot convert your UK PPL (no longer EASA compliant whatever it says on the cover). To obtain an additional EASA licence makes sense as you currently live and fly in the Netherlands. The hours you fly whether in an 'EASA' aircraft or a UK registered one will all account for the experience levels for both licenses. You will, at the moment, need to comply with the 1 hour of training flights for each licence and have the Certificate of Experience in each licence re-signed every 24 months.

[Jhieminga]

When I wrote conversion, I meant the conversion of an ICAO compliant licence to an EASA licence. Fl1ingfrog is correct in that you cannot convert your UK licence to an EASA licence directly (up until Brexit it was a SOLI procedure, paperwork only) but there is still a provision in the EASA Part-FCL regulations for conversion of third-country ICAO compliant licences to EASA. This just takes a bit more work. Look up Commission Delegated Regulation EU 2020/723 in the Air Crew section of the EASA library for the details. If you decide that this is something you would like to take on, selecting an appropriate state is up to you based on what would work best for your circumstances. Ireland is an option because of the language, but you could also look up Orbit Groundschool, they offer theory courses in English and you can take the theoretical knowledge exams in English in Brussels if I'm not mistaken (they will know). After that, it is a matter of finding a suitable ATO nearby but as you already fly PH- registered aircraft, you're no doubt somewhat familiar with the options in The Netherlands.

[Fl1ingfrog]

The UK PPL, CPL and ATPL are ICAO compliant licenses. The regulation that restricts a holder to have only one 'EASA' sanctioned licence for the same privileges applies only to the members of the EU. It does not apply to any countries which are not members of EASA such as the UK. Also, note, you may hold as many non EU/EASA licenses as you wish even as a member of the EU.

[flyme273]

Thank you for the advice, much appreciated. At present I follow the 2 year grace period (expiring Dec 2022) to fly G- and PH- per the former UK/EASA combined licence (with the EASA part becoming null per Dec 2022). An unfortunate impact of Brexit.
As mentioned, I wish to keep the UK licence (I've had it for 40 years) and apply for a separate EASA licence. I'll look into Dutch and Ireland options. Doing the additional prof check is no problem.

Thanks for the input. Flyme.

[jollyrog]

I'm not sure what two year grace period you are relying on to use your UK licence in an EASA registered aircraft.

There is a two year recognition of EASA licences in G reg aircraft, subject to some limitations, particularly when a rating has been revalidated or renewed.

[Contact Approach]

You can’t fly any EASA reg aircraft if you hold only what was a UK/EASA licence presently… the grace period applies only to current EASA holders (i.e non UK licence holders) to fly G-reg.

To obtain a new EASA PPL you’ll need to

1. Obtain a new EASA medical

2. Complete an Air Law and HPL exam

3. Complete a new PPL skills test.

As crazy as it sounds, it’s the sad reality of Brexit.

[flyme273]

Hello, let me give an up-date.
I now have a Dutch issued EASA PPL (in addition to my UK PPL).
I started with the home study school in March 2022 with Orbit (very similar to Bristol Ground school, who I used for PBN). Orbit use Austro control so it is English language and accepted by Kiwa. Exam was 16 May 2022. I obtained 95% and 91.6%. Then application to Kiwa Register (Dutch equivalent of CAA). My last flight validation was a combined skill test and IR validation at Rotterdam with a Dutch examiner Nov 2021. This was not accepted. Kiwa required a new skill test. Due to summer holidays this was obtained 2-9-2022. Kiwa required verification of UK licence by UK CAA (SRG1160). Some communication delays. Licence received 29-12-2022. Cost:
Kiwa €81.07
CAA UK £47
Orbit: Airlaw €100, Human €100, exam fees 2*€58. Total 316
Hotel Arnhem for exam attendence €75
English language (re-test ATC-Communication) €164
Flight Examiner €135
Total €825
+ aircraft costs

Now to start on conversion of IR (back to ground school) for weather decodes and flight planning.

I hope this information is useful and thank you to the above contributors (special mention to Backpacker).

regards, flyme

[Jhieminga]

... Kiwa Register (Dutch equivalent of CAA)....
Congrats!
Just to set the record straight, the Dutch equivalent of CAA is ILenT, but the practical side of issuing the licences has been delegated to Kiwa Register. If all goes well, you only need to deal with Kiwa, but no guarantees... ;)

[Helicopterdriverguy]

You can’t fly any EASA reg aircraft if you hold only what was a UK/EASA licence presently… the grace period applies only to current EASA holders (i.e non UK licence holders) to fly G-reg.

To obtain a new EASA PPL you’ll need to

1. Obtain a new EASA medical

2. Complete an Air Law and HPL exam

3. Complete a new PPL skills test.

As crazy as it sounds, it’s the sad reality of Brexit.
so are you saying you can’t fly a easa reg aircraft in the uk unless you have a easa licence. As well as the uk licence that you need to fly any aircraft in the uk

[Fl1ingfrog]

so are you saying you can’t fly a easa reg aircraft in the uk unless you have a easa licence.

There is no such thing as an EASA licence. The state of licence issue decides who may fly the aircraft on its register. Application should be made to them.